Calvert Hall baseball looks to repeat in A Conference

Calvert Hall teammates Colin Gimblet, left, and Ron Farley react with smiles after they both scored on a hit by Robbie Jones in the third inning against John Carroll during a game at Calvert Hall.

Calvert Hall teammates Colin Gimblet, left, and Ron Farley react with smiles after they both scored on a hit by Robbie Jones in the third inning against John Carroll during a game at Calvert Hall. (Staff photo by Brian Krista)

Look for Calvert Hall baseball coach Lou Eckerl to help shape another outstanding edition of the Cardinals this spring. Much of last year's team, which Eckerl led to a sixth Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference title in eight years, is back for another season.

Eckerl knows his team is talented, and he isn't afraid to say so. Eight players in the starting lineup are slated to play the sport in college.

"We can be a better team than last year," said Eckerl, whose team went 30-6 last season. "I don't mean to be cocky, but our pitching and lineup are pretty good. The hardest part is keeping our guys focused. We want to keep them working hard and getting better throughout the year, rather than resting on their laurels."

One of Calvert Hall's biggest challenges is showing up with its A-game for every contest. If an opponent knocks off the Cardinals, a celebration ensues.

"If a team beats us, we make their season," Eckerl said. "It's like they won the World Series. We are not sneaking up on anybody or surprising anybody. We really have to come out every day to play."

Eckerl certainly enjoys writing out a lineup card flush with talent. The Cardinals return the nucleus of an offense that batted .340 last year.

"There are no holes there," Eckerl said. "It's one of the strongest lineups we have had. We have a lot of power and speed."

Calvert Hall senior left-hander Andrew Witczak, a Campbell University recruit, understands that even if he has a subpar outing, he still has legitimate chance to win.

"I think this year compared to the other years, we have talented players like Alex (Murphy), Robbie (Jones) and all the other guys that are going to Division I schools," Witczak said. "Guys are going places and doing great things."

Senior catcher Murphy (Wake Forest University) is one of them.

The 6-foot, 210-pounder led the Cardinals in home runs (6), RBIs (39) and doubles last season while batting .460. He's off to a hot start this spring, batting .714 with three triples and 13 RBIs.

"He is a heady ball player, and he hits with power," Eckerl said, noting Murphy bats third in the lineup. "He is a great defensive catcher with a strong arm. Not many people are going to run on us."

Senior right fielder and cleanup hitter Ron Farley (Delaware State University) also swings a powerful bat. He batted .427 with five home runs, 11 doubles and 25 RBIs in 2012.

"Everything revolved around Murphy and Farley last year," Eckerl said. "He (Farley) hits for power and average. He has great range and a great arm."

A four-year starter and captain, the All-Metro catcher had a near-perfect week at the plate to lead the No. 1 Cardinals (5-1) to four wins. Murphy was productive in 15 of his 16 plate appearances during the four games, going 10-for-11 (.909) with four walks and a sacrifice fly. He had six...